The Carvel franchise has been innovating since 1934, when founder Tom Carvel’s ice cream truck broke down in the New York summer heat and the Original Soft Serve frozen dessert was born. To honor this legacy and make the world a “little softer” on August 19, which is National Soft Serve Day in the United States, Carvel will offer consumers limited-time double cones for the price of one as well as give away thousands of treats in and around New York City.
The company’s buy one get one free “BOGO” deal on Saturday, the 19th, will be preceded by a mix and match flavors double cone special on August 18 that will continue through the 20th. The limited time offer marks the first time customers will be offered the double cone in shoppes.
“Nearly 90 years ago, Tom Carvel took a less-than-ideal situation and turned it into something magical,” said Jessica Osborne, the Atlanta, Georgia-headquartered company’s vice president of marketing. “Since then, the ice cream he invented softened our world and became an enduring part of people’s lives, and there’s no better time to celebrate that than on National Soft Serve Day.”
In addition, Carvel will be saluting its New York roots by giving away thousands of free soft serve treats during events in and around Manhattan, as detailed below.
• Empire State Building Treats: On August 17, from 11 AM to 2 PM, consumers can indulge in Carvel Soft Serve treats and get free swag at the Empire State Building Observatory. Samples will be available to ticketed visitors to the tourist attraction on a first come, first serve basis.
• Find Fudgie + Carvel’s Truck: On August 18 Fudgie the Whale and the Carvel ice cream truck will be rolling in Gotham and distributing free Original Soft Serve samples.
• All Aboard: On August 19 Carvel will take over a NYC Ferry along the East River with the Softest Cruise Ever on the East River route, beginning at 11:55 AM. Riders must purchase a ticket via the NYC Ferry app or in person at vending machines located at each landing.
Recognized as the first retail ice cream franchise in the United States, Carvel is a leading provider of premium soft ice cream and hand dipped ice cream products as well as uniquely shaped ice cream cakes, including its signature Fudgie the Whale and Cookie Puss cakes. The company operates at more than 350 retail outlets in nine countries.
